and democratic congresswoman shelley berkeley will face off in an hourlong debate sponsored by vegas pbs, knpb public television for northern nevada, reno public radio and the reno gazette journal. i'm rich fox, and can i'll serve as moderator. here is the format for the debate. each candidate will give a one minute opening statement. the candidates will then be asked a series of questions from a panel of three reporters. the candidates will each get a minute and a half to answer the same question. the candidate who receives the original question will get one minute to rebut. we will conclude the debate with two minute closing statements. opening and closing statements, in addition to the first question, have been determined by a coin toss. tonight's reporters are brent boynton, news director of knpb; ray hager, political reporter with the reno gazette journalty diego santa yea go -- santiago with univision. shelley berkeley, you have the first opening statement. berkeley: thank you, i'd like to thank the sponsors for hosting our first debate and for the viewers who are listening tonight